Ukraine to consider buying Russian gas from Germany’s RWE - Azarov

Our concern plans buying from RWE Russian gas in a so-called reverse order

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Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

BERLIN, March 14 (Itar-Tass) —— Naftogaz of Ukraine will consider an opportunity to buy Russian gas from Germany’s RWE energy concern, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov said in an interview with Germany’s Die Welt, published on Wednesday.

“Our concern plans buying from RWE Russian gas in a so-called reverse order. Here we hope for support from the European Union,” the prime minister said responding to the question whether Kiev considered any other sources of the gas fuel. “This would be cheaper than direct supplies from Russia.”

“Besides, we plan to build on the Black Sea a terminal for liquefied gas,” Azarov said. “Unfortunately, in this case, vessels will have to go along Bosporus at permission from Turkey.”

“Ukraine is buying from Russia much more gas than Germany, and pays for it much more. However, our economy is much weaker than Germany’s one,” he said adding that Naftogaz endured “giant losses.”

Earlier, Azarov said that Ukraine “has highest gas prices in the world” as it buys the blue fuel at the border at the price of 518 dollars per one thousand cubic metres. “Then add transport, duties, and you see absolutely non-competitive price for our industry,” he said on Tuesday during a meeting with foreign businesses in Kiev.